Smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting air quality across Ohio, and the Ohio EPA issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory on July 16, 2026 because conditions were expected to range from “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy,” with hourly levels at times reaching “Very Unhealthy” to “Hazardous.” In Northeast Ohio, that means this is a good time to limit smoke exposure, especially for people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, older adults, and anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.
The Ohio EPA issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory because smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting Ohio air quality. The agency said pollution levels may range from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy, with some hourly readings potentially reaching Very Unhealthy or Hazardous.
People with asthma, COPD, other lung disease, heart disease, older adults, children, and pregnant people are at higher risk from smoke exposure. The Ohio Department of Health notes that wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory conditions and pose serious health risks, even when the fires are far from Ohio.
Watch for coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and burning in the nose, throat, or eyes. The Ohio Department of Health also lists difficulty breathing and worsening asthma symptoms as warning signs to take seriously.
The best first steps are to stay indoors when possible, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. If you need current local conditions, check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map or the AirNow Interactive Map before heading outside.
The Ohio EPA recommends keeping windows closed overnight and, if possible, running central air conditioning. The U.S. EPA also recommends setting your HVAC system to recirculate, using a portable air cleaner, and considering a clean room in the part of your home where people spend the most time. AirNow also offers an Indoor Air Filtration factsheet.
To avoid making indoor air worse, the Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Health recommend limiting activities that create particles indoors, including burning candles, using fireplaces or wood-burning devices, and vacuuming. The U.S. EPA also advises avoiding frying or broiling food, aerosol sprays, smoking, and vaping when smoke levels are high.
If you must be outside, the Ohio Department of Health says an N95 respirator can help reduce the amount of dangerous smoke particles you inhale. Cleveland-area physicians interviewed by local media also said an N95 can block the very small particles in wildfire smoke better than a typical surgical mask.
Use AQI guidance from AirNow and check the Fire and Smoke Map for current readings. AirNow’s AQI categories range from Good (0–50) to Hazardous (301+), and readings above 100 mean air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Ohio EPA specifically recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory, especially for people with heart and respiratory conditions.
Keep rescue inhalers, daily medications, and other needed supplies close by. The Ohio Department of Health recommends preparing an emergency kit with respiratory medications and monitoring symptoms carefully during smoke events. If your symptoms are worsening, contact a clinician promptly.
Case Western Reserve University’s Benefits pages explain available health coverage options through Benelect. The university also provides a Summary of Benefits and Coverage for 2026 medical plans, including Medical Mutual plan options. CWRU has also shared benefits programming that includes Medical Mutual resources, telehealth, wellness programs, and other support for employees.
The University Wellness Program encourages all faculty and staff to integrate healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity, nutritious foods, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and maintaining social and community relationships, into their daily lives. All self-care efforts make a significant difference in maintaining good health - even when we face challenges such as the current poor air quality in Northeast Ohio. Please consider participating in any of the Wellness Programs offered to maintain your health and well-being.